Refrigeration insulation



Oct; 14, 1947. E. H.4HORSTKOTTE 2 REFRIGERATION INSULATION Filed Jan.26, 1940 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mia Inventor:

. 76 Edw d H. Horstk'otbe, FQJ- I by .fi wy fi Hi5 Attorh eg- Oct. 14,1947. E. H. HORSTKOTTE 2,429,059

REFRIGERATION INSULATION Filed Jan. 26, 1940 ZShets-Sheet 2 aJMAW IInventor Edward H. Horstkotte,

HIS AttOPn bg W Patented Oct. 14, 1947 REFRIGERATION INSULATION Edw'ardH. Horstkottc, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, acorporation of New York Application January 26, 1940, Serial No. 315,779

My invention relates to cabinets and more particularly to thermallyinsulated walls for cabincts, such as cabinets of refrigerators, ranges,and the like.

It has been proposed to use thermal insulating material in relativelyloose form, as shredded wood or mineral fibers for example, forthermally insulating cabinets of the above character because of therelative c'heapness and relatively high insulating characteristics ofsuch materials. However, difliculty has been encountered in packing theloose materials to the desired density necessary for good thermalinsulation and yet preventing settling of the material with the passageof time.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a new andimproved method for economically and simply applying such thermal insu-25 Claims. (Cl. 29-401) 2 sity. Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown arefrigerator cabinet ID with an outer liner or shell lating materials,in loose form, to thermally in- 4 sulated cabinets.

Another object of my'invention new and improved method of applying loosethermal insulation to thermally insulated cabinets in such a way thatthere will be substantially no settling of the insulation afterassembly.

A further object of my invention is to provide new and improvedapparatus for accomplishing is to provide athe above objects which isrugged in construccabinet with heat insulation; Fig'. 2 is an enlargedperspective view, partly in section, of a dummy liner used in my methodof applying thermal insulation to cabinets; Fig. 3 is a side view insection illustrating a dummy liner and support for thermally insulatinga cabinet door; and Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged Views of certain detailsof the apparatus disclosed in Fig.3.

I have provided a method and apparatus for conducting thermal insulatingmaterial in relatively .loose form into the space normally defined bythe inner and outer walls or'casings of a refrigerator or otherthermally insulated cabinet at a. velocity high enough to felt or padthe material until the space is filled to the required den- II butwithout an inner liner on the platform l2 of an elevating mechanism I3,such as an hydraulic lift for example. The elevating mechanism I3 isvertically movable between the position shown in Fig l, in whichposition the outer liner or wall member II of the cabinet I0 fitsaround-a temporary lining means or dummy liner the outer faces of thedummy liner I4 having the contour and fitting in place of theconventional inner liner during the application of thermal insulation tothe cabinet I9, and a lower position of suitable height to enableunfilled cabinets to be placed on the platform I2 and filled cabinets tobe removed therefrom.

The dummy liner M is provided with concentric conduits I5, [6 and 11,the first serving as an inletrpassage or conduit for the looseinsulating material. The inlet passage I5 extends entirely through thedummy liner I4 and is open at the inner end, as indicated by the numerall8. The outlet passages or conduits I6 and I1 serve as outlets orexhaust passages for the fluid, preferably air, employed to carry theinsulating'material into the space I9 to be filled with insulation andcommunicating with the space I9 between the outer liner II and the dummyliner l4 through screens 20 and 2|, respectively. The conduits 45, I6and Il communicate with an inlet conduit or feed pipe 22 and exhaustconduits 23 and 24, respectively, as shown in Fig. 1. In

order to control the fiow of insulating material, I

valves or blast gates 25 and26 are located in the passages or conduits23 and 24, respectively, and a valve or blast gate II is positioned infeed pipe 22. v

In .order to create a flow of fluid through the dummy liner l4 and spaceI9 in order to conduct the insulating material tov the space I9, I haveprovided a suction fan'or blower 21, suitably driven as by an electricmotor, not shown. It will be seen that the suction created by thesuction or exhaust fan 21 will draw thermal insulation into the space I9through the inlet conduits I5 and 22. The air withdrawn by the exhaustfan or blower 21 passes through screen 20 or screen 2|, or both,depending upon the positions of blast gates 25 and 26, and insulation isremoved from the air stream by the screen and retained in the space I9.I

In order to reduce eddies in the aircurrents within .the space I9 whichmay'cause holes to be formed in-the insulation, I have provided radiallyextending vanes or baflles 28 between outlet screens 20 and H and theexhaust passages I6 and II, respectively, as seen in Fig. 2.

In order to prevent deformation of the liner II caused by the differencein pressures on the opposite-sides of the liner II during the fillingoperation, I have provided an outer shell or casing 29, the interiorspace 36 of which is connected by means of a conduit 3i tothe space I9in order to permit equalization of the pressures on both sides of theliner II.

The outer casing or liner II of the cabinet I6 is suitably formed beforebeing brought to the insulation applying apparatus. For example, thecabinet I illustrated in the drawings is depicted as having the outerwall or casing II forming the side walls of a domestic type refrigeratorcabinet,

a door opening 32 and an opening 33 at the top V to permit insertion ofthe evaporator (not shown) being provided. A partition 34 is arranged inthe lower portion of the cabinet I0 and forms a part of the walldividing the cabinet into a food storage compartment and a machinerycompartment. The above-described assembly is conducted to the insulationapplying point where the preformed cabinet is placed on the platform I2of the lifting mechanism I3. The cabinet I0 is accurately positioned onthe platform I2 by means of a suitable fixture or blocks 35 suitablysecured to the upper surface of the lifting platform I2,

The dummy liner I4 is arranged above the platform I2 so that it will bein alignment with the door opening 32 of the cabinet ID. The dummy linerI4 may be supported in any suitable manner. In the arrangement shown,the dummy liner is provided with a top plate 36 and a plurality ofthreaded studs 31 arranged to be inserted through suitable openings inthe outer shell 29 for engagement with fastening members or nuts 38. Theshell 29 in turn may be suitably supported in any desired manner. Forexample, the shell 29 may be supported from the ceiling of the roomemployed in the insulating operation or to the conduits I5, I6 and II,as shown in Fig. 1. As best seen in Fig. 2, the dummy liner comprises atop plate 36, an intermediate plate 39 and a bottom plate 46 arranged inspaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. While I haveillustrated the use of wood for plates 36, 39 and 40, any desiredmaterial may be employed so long as it is substantially impermeable. Inthis manner there is provided an air passage 4| communicating betweenscreen and conduit I6 and a second air passage 42 communicating betweenscreen 2| and the exhaust conduit II. In order to retain the screens 20and 2| in the desired position, I have provided peripherally extendingstrips 43 and 44 suitably secured together and to the top plate 36,peripherally extending strip 45 suitably secured to the bottom plate 40and a peripherally extending strip 46 suitably secured to theintermediate plate 39. Each of the strips 43, .45 and 46 is proyidedwith cut-away portions or grooves 41 for reception of the edges of thescreens and peripherally extending locking strips 48 which serve toclamp the screen material tightly in position. Suitable fasteningmembers as screws 49, for example, may be employed to maintain thestrips 48' in position, The above-described parts of the dummy liner I 4are held together by suitable fastening means as a bolt 50 extendingvertically through the assembled liner and nut (not shown). The head ofthe bolt 50 and nut are preferably arranged in such a manner that theydo not project beyond the surface of the dummy liner.

It will be observed that the top plate or member 36 extends beyond theside walls of the dummy liner I4, the extended portion 5| being arrangedto rest on the front surface 52 of the liner II and in order to seal thespace between the portion 5| and the front surface 52 I have provided asealing member or gasket 53.

The radially extending ribs or partition members 28 may be supported inthe passages 4! and 42 in any desired manner. For example, two sets ofthe members 23 may be disposed one set in radially extending slots inthe surfaces of the members 36 and 39 defining the air passage 42 andthe other set in similar slots in the surfaces of the members 39 and 40defining the passages 4|. An opening I8 is provided approximatelycentrally of the lower plate 40 of the dummy liner I4 of a size toaccommodate the conduit I5. An opening in vertical alignment, with theopening I8 is provided in the intermediate plate 39 in alignment withthe conduit I6 and an opening aligned with the openings in the lower andintermediate plates is provided in the top plate 36 in alignment withthe exhaust conduit I1 and provides communication between the passage 42and'the conduit 24. Thus, the inlet conduit I5 extends entirelythroughthe dummy liner I4, the exhaust conduit I6 extends to the passage M andthe outlet conduit I'I extends to the passage 42. The conduits I5, I6and I! have been illustrated as disposed in a concentric relationshipcentrally of the dummy liner in order to provide a relatively evendistribution of the fluid current throughout the dummy liner and in thespace I9 but various dispositions of the inlet and exhaust conduits maybe had. The conduits may be secured in spaced-apart relationship in anydesired way. Gaskets I511, I611 and Na are provided at the upper ends ofconduits I5, I6 and II, respectively, and cooperate with gaskets 22a,23a and 24a on the lower ends of conduits 22, 23 and 24, respectively,to seal the adjacent edges of the various conduits.

The duct system for conveying thermal insulation to the dummy liner l4includes the outlet or exhaust conduits 23 and 24 provided with blastgates or valves 25 and 26, respectively, and inlet conduit 22 providedwith blast gate or valve II in order to control the flow of fluid andentrained insulating material through the apparatus. The conduits 23 and24 joint as indicated by the numeral 54 to form a, main outlet ordischarge conduit 55. The exhaust fan or blower 21 is disposed at theend of the conduit 55 and is arranged to provide a suction in theconduit 23 or 24 or both depending upon the positions of the flowcontrolling members or gates 25 and 26, respectively. -The fluidwithdrawn by the blower 21 may be exhausted by means of a conduit 56. Inthe form illustrated, blast gates 25, 26 and II are solenoid operated,parts thereof being disposed externally of the conduits 22, 23 and 24,respectively. The blast gates and operators therefor are madefluid-tight at the point of egress from the conduits in any suitablemanner. If desired, any type of valve may be employed, but in order toprovide automatic control of the apparatus it is preferable thatelectricallyoperated valves or blast gates be provided.

In Fig. 1, the major portion of the inlet conduit 22 is inclinedupwardly. Where sufficient head room is available, it is preferable tohave the conduit 22 substantially vertical in order to utilize gravityto keep the conduit clear of insulating material when the apparatus isnot being operated. Loose thermal insulating material may be supplied tothe inlet conduit 22 in any suitable manner. I have illustrated aconveyor, such as a belt 51, running over rollers 51a for conductingbales 58 of insulating material to an insulation breaker 59 located inthe flared out portion 68 of the inlet conduit 22. ihe insulationbreaker 59 may be of any desired type but I have illustrated a a motor62 for imparting motion to the conveyor 51. The insulation breaker 59may be driven in any suitable manner as by a belt 63 driven from thepulley 64 attached to the shaft of .a motor 59a connected to electricsupply lines |3|.

The liner I is customarily formed of comparatively light material and Ihave found that because of the decrease in pressure on the inner side ofthe liner during the insulating operation it may be desirable to providemeans for preventing the collapse of the liner H. For this purpose Ihave' provided the shell 29 with a peripherally extending gasket 65 forsealing the space between the shell 29 and the platform I 2. In the formof apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1, I have provided an end gate.66 forclosing the opening 33 in the top of the cabinet Ill, the spaces betweenthe end gate 66 and the shell 29 and also between the end gate and theplatform |2 being sealed by gaskets 6'! and 68, respectively, and thespace between the end gate and opening 33 being sealed by a gasket 33a.Thus a fluid-tight chamher or space 30 is provided exteriorly of thecabinet ||l. Communication is provided between the spaces l 9 and 30 bymeans of a conduit 3|, thereby permitting equalization of the pressureson both sides of liner I. It will be observed that the conduits 22, 23and 24 extend through an opening in a wal1 of shell 29, the spacebetween the conduit 24 and the shell 29 being rendered fluid-tight inanydesired manner.

In order to assist in separating the dummy liner and the insulatedcabinet in after completion of the insulating operation, I have providedhydraulically operated strippers 69 extending through suitablefluid-tight seals or bushings 19 in the outer shell 29. The liftingplatform |2, the end gate 66 and the strippers 69 are, in theillustrated embodiment of my invention, hydraulically operated. Anydesired arrangement for moving these elements may be employed. Inconnection with platform l2 and end gate 66, I have schematically shownhydraulic'cylinders l3 and 15, respectively, the flow of hydraulic fluidthereto and therefrom being controlled by valves or gates 16 and 11,respectively, the numerals I6 and 11 being employed in an explanatorymanner and not to represent details of apparatus inasmuch as the detailsof the hydraulic apparatus form no part of the present invention, exceptthat electrically operable apparatus is preferable in order to permitautomatic operation of the apparatus. strippers 69. I have illustratedan hydraulic pushoff cylinder 18 having a piston reciprocable thereinand operativelyv connected in suitable fashion to stripper 69. A controlelement 19 is provided for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid tothe cylinder 18. chambers 89. 8| and 82 separated by partitions 83 and84. Communication between chamber 88 and the upper end of cylinder 18 ishad through a conduit 85 while communication between cham- Withreference .to the push-off rods or The element 19 comprises threecylinder having teeth or knife edges 6| arranged to break up theinsulation 58. I have illustrated 6 ber 82 and the lower end of cylinder18 is ha through a conduit 86. The partitions 83 and 84 are providedwith openings 81 and 88, respectively, forming valve seats for asolenoid-controlled, reciprocable valve element89. Hydraulic fluid isconducted to the central chamber 8| through a conduit 90. In operation,when the valve element 89 is in the position shown, fluid will flowthrough opening 88, conduit 86, to the cylinder 18, causing the pistonto move upwardly. When the element 89 moves to its lower. position, asby gravity or under the action of a spring when solenoid I3! isdeenergized, fluid is'conducted to the upper side of'the piston by wayof opening 81, and conduit 85. Thus, the piston will be forceddownwardly causing the stripper 69 to press against the front wall ofthe liner thereby tending to strip the liner II from the dummy liner|4.. Suitable venting arrangements will be provided in connection withcylinders I5,

18 and mechanism l3. This exemplification is illustrative only and anysuitable venting means. may be employed for the purpose. In order tocontrol the sequence of steps in the insulating filling operation, Ihave provided and 92 for initiating the conduction of thermal insulatingmaterial to the space l9, for shifting the flow of insulation conductingfluid from conduits=|1 and 24 to conduits l6 and 23, respectively, andfor halting the operation of the apparatus when space [9 is filled. Thedevices 9| and 92 are shown in the form of U-tubes, one'or both columnsof which contain electrical contacts. Both U-tubes contain anelectrically conductive liquid. Column 93 of device 92 is incommunication with conduit 22 and column 94 thereof is open toatmosphere. Thus, device 92 compares the pressure within conduit 22 withatmospheric pressure and is disposed in the control system in such amanner that insulation cannot be supplied to conduit 22 until thesuction pressure, dependent on velocity, in conduit 22 attains apredetermined value thereby insuring supply of insulating material tothe conduit 22 only when air is passing through the feed pipe 22 to thefilling moved. Device 9| is connected up differentially between the feedside and the suction side of the dummy liner, for example, between inletconduit 22 and outlet conduit 24. Assuming that operation of theapparatus has been initiated with valve 26 open and valve 25 closedinsulating material will be drawn into the space l9 adjacent the screen2|. As the material collects, resistance to flow results and as suchresistance to flow increases, the differential between pressureslikewiseincreases, the liquid level in column 95 rising and the level in column96 dropping, until at a predetermined point the liquid level in column95 becomes sufl'iciently unbalanced to short circuit contacts 91 andcomplete a circuit toppen blastgate 25 and direct the flow ofair'through screen 29 as well as screen 2|. At'this point, resistance toflow is again a, minimum, and consequently the velocity of the incomingair with enpressure.

trained insulating material i again a maximum. As the remainder of thespace I9 becomes filled, resistance to flow again develops, the velocityin conduit 22 again decreases so that the pressure in conduit 22 againrises toward atmospheric In order to insure felting of material in spaceI9 at the opening I8, insulation is permitted to build up in conduit I5,as about six inches, for example. Therefore, the liquid levels in device92 tend to equalize until when space I9 becomes filled and some materialis felted in conduit I5, contacts .98 in column 94 become shortcircuited by the fluid therein and a circuit is completed to causecessation of the supply of insulating material to the space I9 andinitiate stripping of the insulated cabinet from the dummy liner I4.

It is desirable to shift the area of principal suction before thevelocity in feed pipe 22 decreases to a point at which the velocity islnsufilcient to insure adequate packing or felting of the material to adensity sufiiciently high to minimize the danger of settling. I havefound that when one material comprising substantially individualizedwood fibres is used a density of approximately 4 lbs. per cu. ft. isadequate and may be obtained in a cabinet of approximately 4 cu. ft.capacity by conducting the material into the cabinet at an initiallyhigh velocity, as with an initial velocity in conduit I5 of the order ofapproximately 18,000 ft. per minute, for example, and two levels ofsuction or screens, although any desired number of levels of suction maybe employed. The necessary number of screens is best determined bytrial. From the above, it will be seen that I have provided anarrangement in which the insulating material is supplied to the space I9in successive stages at a'high initial velocity in each stage.

In order to render the sequence of operations automatic, I have alsoprovided various interlocks and limit switches of suitable construction,the operation of which will be described hereinafter.

While Fig.1 illustrates the apparatus in the positions assumed by thevarious control elements when the cabinet is approximately half filled,the following description of the sequence of operation will start fromthe very beginning.

With the platform I2 in its lowered position a preformed outer casing orliner II is placed in the proper position as determined by the blocks 35with. the wall containing the door opening uppermost and the end opening33 adjacent the end gate 66. The blast gates 25 and 26 and the blastgate II in inlet conduit 22 are all in the closed position. It is alsoassumed that the blower 21 is running. As soon as the start button I ispressed, relay ml is energized from the electric supply lines I02 andI02a. Energization of the relay IOI causes switches I03 and I04 of relayIM to move to their closed positions. A holding circuit for the relayIOI is completed through switch I03, stop'button I38 and normally closedswitch I05 of relay I06.

When the relay IN is picked up, a circuit is also closed to operate theair valve 16 for initiat'ing operation of the lifting mechanism I3. Thiscircuit extends from conductor I02 through switch I04 to solenoid I01,the other side of solenoid I01 being connected to the other line I02a.When solenoid I01 is energized, the gate 16 is opened thereby permittinga flow of fluid to the lifting mechanism I3 for elevating the platformI2. When the platform I2 reaches the limit of its upward movement; anarm I08 secured to the switch I04 and limit switch I09. When the gate orvalve 11 is moved to the open position due to the energization ofsolenoid H0, hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder 13 for movingthe end gate 66 into position to close the opening 33 in the top wall ofthe cabinet I0 and seal space 30.

End gate 66 is provided with a suitable form of limit switch. In Fig, 1,I have illustrated a cam member I I2 suitably secured to the end gate 00arranged to engage. a switch operating member I2I for controlling theposition of switches I22 and I23, respectively. When the end gate 09 isin its closed position, a holding circuit is completed for solenoid I01through switch I22 so that the elevating platform I2 cannot be lowereduntil the end gate 66 is returned to its open posi tion. Thus, it willbe seen that even though relay IIiI drops out, thereby opening thecircuit through switch I04, solenoid I01 will remain energized as longas switch i22 is closed.

When the end gate 66 is in its closed position, a circuit is completedfor energizing solenoid I24 to move the valve or blast gate 26 into itsopen position thereby permitting air to be withdrawn from the dummyliner It through the passage 42 and conduits I1 and 24. The circuit forthis operation includes limit switch I23 and switch I04. When blast gate20 is moved to its open position by operation of the solenoid I24,suction is applied to the upper level of the dummy liner I When theblast gate 26 is in the open positlon, a limit switch I25 is, operatedto complete a circuit through switch I04 to the solenoid I26 in order toopen the damper or valve H in the inlet conduit 22. When blast gate 26opens, suction is applied to column 93 of device 92 and since thepressure in column 93 is then less than that in column 94 the liquid in,device 92 rises in column 93 to complete a circuit across contacts I21in the column 93. 'Closure of contacts I21 completes a circuit to thecoil of relay I28. A holding circuit for the coil of relay I28 iscompleted through sglgtch I04 of relay IM and switch I29 of relay Whenthe valve 1| .is in its wide open position, a limit switch I30 is movedto its circuit closing position in order to start the -feed motor 62 tooperate the conveyer 51. Any suitable motor, including a, motor starter,if desired, may be provided. I have illustrated a simpledirect-connected motor 62 energized from supply lines I3I through limitswitch I30 and switch I29a of relay I28. With thi arrangement it will beseen that it is impossible to start the feed motor 62 until the suctionpressure in column 93 of pressure responsive device 92 has attained apredetermined value. This condition can only occur when air is passingthrough the inlet feed pipe or conduit 22 to the filling fixture ordummy liner I4, that is, when the suction in conduit 22 has attained avalue which causes relay I28 to pick up and close switch I29a. -Thisinsures that the 76 sulating material into the inlet conduit and feedconduit 23.

pipe 22 until any accumulated material from they previous filling hasbeen removed.

With the above-described arrangement of parts insulating material willbe conducted thrO gh the inlet conduit 22 and inlet passage I into thespace I9. Inasmuch as gate 25 is closed at this point there will'belittle tendency for air to be drawn through the screen 20 but sinceblast gate 26 is open, theinsulation conducting fluid (air,

.in this case) will be drawn through the space I9,

screen'ZI, passage 42, and conduit I1 into the broken. When switch I04oi relay I0l opens motor 62 and halt the conveyer 61, The aforementionedparts are so chosen and arranged that the feed motor 62 stops beforegate 1| closes'in exhaust'conduit 24. Because of the arrangement spaceI9 i partly filled, it will be seen that the diiferential pressure inthe U -tube 9| becomesunbalanced because the accumulationof insulationtends to reduce the suction in the inlet conduit 22. Therefore, thepressure in inlet conduit 22 and consequently the pressure on the liquidlevel in column 96 increases in comparison withthe pressure in exhaustconduit 24 and column 95.

Therefore. the liquid in device 9| will rise incolumn 95, finallyshort-circuiting the contacts 91. Upon the closing of the gap betweencontacts 91 current is supplied to the winding of the relay I32 over acircuit including switch I04 and contacts v91. A holding circuit forrelay I32 isv com leted throughswitches I33 and'l04. Operation of re ayI32 closes a sw tch I34 and current is supplied to the soleno d I35 ofthe blast gate 25 in order to o en the blast gate in the exhaust Underthis condition the exhaust air from .the space I9 will be drawn throughthe screen 20 as well as the screen 2I in order to fill thelowerportions of space I9 with insulating material. a

As the cabi et becomes fil ed the suction pressure on the feed side ofthe filling fixture decreases, that is, the pressure in the inletconduit 22 increases toward atmospheric pressure. The

, result of this change of pressure is the gradual decreasepf the liquidlevel of column 93 ofdevice 92 andthe elevation of the liquid level incolumn 94. Ina much as the opening oi. the blast- I gate ,25 takes placebefore the fluidvelo it in conduit 22 decreases to a point whereinsufflcient .felti g' of theinsvlating material occurs and it is desred to continue thesu ply of insulating material until the materialbegins to collect -in cycle is reached. Thus, thecontacts 90 in column 94 are arranged so that the gaptherebe- 'f'tiveen will be bridged by: theliquid in the device 92 when the space IEI'is'entirelyfilled with thedesired amount of insulating material. "When the lioud closesthegapbetween thecontacts 98 current is supplied to the coil of"relayf'i06. Energization' oi" relay" I06 opens the normally "closedswitch I05 thereby breaking the holding,

circuit of the coil of relay IOI "and dropping out I the relay I 0I1'When relay IOI drops out hold- 1 Zing circuits for the relays I28'ardl32 are also order to prevent an accumulation of excess material induct 22. Deenergization of relay IOI also deenergizes the winding IIO ofthe gate or valve "thereby permitting the gate 11 to move to its closedposition cutting oil the supply of air to the cylinder 15 and initiatingwithdrawal of the end gate 66. When the and gate 66 withdraws asufficiently great distance to permit opening of the switch I22,solenoid I01 of the valve 16 will be moved to its closed positionthereby permitting the platform I2 to move downwardly.

It willbe observed that a solenoid I31 associated with the valve device19 is in parallel with Y the solenoid I01. When the winding. I01 isdeenergized as previously described winding I31 will also'be'deenerg'iz'ed andv'alve"69 will drop to close opening 88 therebydirecting the hydraulic fluid through opening 81 and conduit 85 tocylind'er 18 above the piston. It will be seen that at this point the.strippers 69 will be pressed downwardly against the cabinet I0 to assistin stripping insulated cabinet I0 from the dummy liner I4. Conversely,when solenoid I01 is energized winding I31 is likewise energized andfluid is delivered to the under side of the piston, where'- upon thestrippers 69 are withdrawn from enga ement with the liner I I.

The above-described control circuit is arranged so that the cycle may bestopped at any point described upon the energization of relay I06.

' which may be suitably positioned on the platform I2. 'On the upperside of the fixture 200 I have arranged a plurality of positioningblocks 20I for accurately locating the outer liner 202 of a refrigeratordoor. I have'provided a dummy'inner liner 203 which is designed to besubstituted for the dummy liner I4 during the operation of filling thedoor. Thus, I have provided a centrally located inlet conduit or passageI 5' together with an exhaust passage I1 concentrically arranged inspaced-apart relationship with respect to inlet "conduit I5. The inletconduit. I5 is suitably secured to 'a sheet 204 of suitable materialsubstantially centrally thereof providing an inlet opening 205 to thespace 206 to be filled within- Siilation. The dummy liner 203 isprovided with an outer shell 201 to which the exhaust conduit I1 issuitably secured. The outer shell 201 comprises an upper plate 206 and alower plate 209,

the lower plate 209 having an upwardly and inwardly extending flange:2I0 suitably securedto the upper plate 208. Pe'ripherally extendinggaskets H I and 2I2 are providedon the" lower plate 209 to seal thespace betwer the lower plate 209 and the flange2I3 of the outer door casng. 202

and the'edge of the fixture 200, respectively, The

' edges of the dummy liner plate 204 andthelower plate 209 are joined bya peripherally extending screen 2I4. In operation, the same procedure is11 dummy liner I4, the dumm liner 203 being suitably secured forcooperation with the conduits 22, 23 and 24. I have found that only oneexhaust conduit is necessary for the proper filling of a door so thatthe conduit I1 may be made to match the exhaust conduit 24. Therefore,the space 2I5 will communicate with both exhaust conduits 24 and 23. Itwill be seen that insulating material will be drawn into the space 200through the inlet conduit I5, the suction air passing out through thescreen 2 I4, chamber 2 I5 and exhaust conduit I'l' into conduit 23 or 24or both. In order to equalize the pressure on both sides of the shell202, I have provided openings 2I6 in the lower sheet 209. The doorlining apparatus may be constructed for use with the shell 29 of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1 or may be designed as a complete substitutionnot only for dummy liner I4 but also shell 29.

While the temporary lining means or dummy liner described herein isrelatively bulky, it will be understood that the shape and form of thedummy liner is dependent upon, the shape and form of the object .to befilled. For instance, the

temporary lining means or wall member may be a plate.'I'l'ieexpressionsfdummy liner, temporary lining means and the like, areintended to be applied to any structure used during the fillingoperation to complete the defining of any space to be filled. The inletand outlet passages associated with the space may or mayno't beincorporated as part of the dummy or temporary liner, as the aforesaidinlet and outlet may be provided through one of the permanent wallmembers, for example.

When a refrigerator door of the so-called safe type is insulated in thismanner it will be clear that a substantial amount of unsupportedinsulating material extends abovethe flange 2l3 of the shell 202 andwhen the fixture 202 with the insulated door is separated from thetemporary lining means 203, there is a tendency for the insulation tobreak at the unsupported corners. In order to maintain the corners'in anunbroken form, I have provided a stripping device 2" as best seen inFigs. 4 and 5. The stripper 2" comprises a frame '2I8 having a pluralityof downwardly extending fingers 2I9. The frame 2I8 has the samedimensions as the outer edge of the inner door shell and the fingers 2I9.are adapted to extend around the above-mentioned unsupported corners.When the insulated shell 202 is to be removed from the liner 203 Iemploy strippers 69' to exert a pressure against the stripper 2, thefingers 2I9 engaging the insulation at spaced-apart points andprotecting the same during the stripping operation. As shown in Fig. 3,the strippers 69' extend through suitable bushings 220 and a flexiblediaphragm 22I as leather, for example, is suitably secured to the lowerend thereof. The outer edges of the diaphragm 22I are suitably securedin openings 222 in the plate 204 as by oppositely disposed rings 223 and224 suitably secured to plate 204. The frame 2I8 is provided withdownwardly extending brackets 225 terminating in lugs 226 havingsuitable openings 22! therethrough for the recep-g tion of the threadedend of strippers 69'. Thus, it will be seen that when the strippers 69'.are depressed, the diaphragm 22I is moved downwardly together with thebracket 225 and frame 2I8.

Modifications of the above apparatus and method will occur to thoseskilled in the art. For example, while I have illustrated apparatus forfilling a refrigerator cabinet of the type having a door opening in aside wall and an opening in the top wallto permit the insertion of anevaporaton the principles of my invention are equally applicableto an.arrangement into which the evaporator is inserted through an opening inthe rear wall of the cabinetor through the door opening. Thus, if theevaporator is to be inserted from the rear it would be possible toconduct the material into the cabinet through the evaporator opening anddraw the .air out through the space between the inner and outer linersor shells of the cabinet around the door opening in whichv arrangementthe dummy liner could be omitted. Furthermore, as many levels ofscreened outlets or vents as needed may be employed in connection withthe dummy liner I4 although I have found two to be satisfactory.Further, the

temporary lining means may take the place of the outer liner or shell ofthe refrigerator cabinet lnstead of the inner shell. The method hereindescribed is applicable even though no dummy liner is used. Thus, forexample, if the evaporator is to be inserted through the foodcompartment door opening, the cabinet may be completelyassembled exceptfor the insulating matefialand breaker strips following which theinsulating material may be conducted into a space between twopermanently disposed spaced-apart wall members as by conducting thematerial into the cabinet at one portion .of the space and withdrawingthe air at another portion thereof. The breaker strips may then besecured in place.

If desired, air may be blown into the space to be filled, or acombination of blowing and suction may be employed instead of suction,alone.

The necessary changes, in such a case, will be obvious to those skilledin the art. For example, if blowing is to be utilized, a fan or blowercan be placed at the outer end'of duct 22, insulating material being fedto the feed pipe at a point intermediate the blower and the cabinet tobe filled. The pressure responsive device 92 will be moved so as tocompare the pressure in conduit 24 on the exhaust side of gate 20 withatmosphere and the circuits r e-arranged to provide a sequence in which,following closure of end gate 66, blast gate II would be opened to blowair into the apparatus. The nextoperation would be to open valve 26. Assoon as the pressure in conduit'24 ,builds up to a suflicient degree,the device 32 would be effective to energize the motor 62 for feedinginsulating material to the feed pipe. It will be understood that thewiring for switches I30 and I25 will be interchanged so that operationof gate II will energize solenoid I24 and opening of gate 26 willcondition the circuit for the energization of motor 62 upon closing ofswitch I 29a. 1

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, I do notdesire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shownand described and I intend in the appended claims to cover allmodifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent .of theUnited States is:

1. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose, fibrousthermal insulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner andouter walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, temporarylining means arranged tobe substituted for one of said walls whilefilling said cabinet with insulation, means for conducting saidinsulating material to said first-mentioned means, and means dependentuponthe conduction of a predetermined amount of insulating material tosaid first-mentioned means for controlling the further conduction ofsaid insulating material to said first-mentioned means.

2. In combination, apparatus'i'or conducting relatively loose, fibrousthermal insulating ma terial into a cabinet of the type having inner andouter walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, temporarylining means arranged a to be substituted for one of said walls duringthe process of conducting insulation into the cabinet and cooperatingwith the other of said walls for defining a space to be filled withinsulation, said temporary lining means having an inlet conduit and anoutlet conduit associated therewith, means for introducing a fluid andentrained insulation into said inlet conduit and flow controlling meansdependent upon the conduction of a predetermined-amount of insulatingmaterial to said space for controlling the further conduction ofinsulating material thereto.

3. In combination, apparatus for conducting insulation into a cabinet ofthe type having inner 1 andf qia iw ia l c lin s w h. m s n u a disposedtherebetween," a dummy liner c'gn- 14 oi filling said space with saidinsulation, said means being provided with an inlet conduit, saidconduit communicating with an opening in a wall of said means, andinsulation distributing members associated with said conduit andextending in a direction to cause said insulation to be conducted to allparts of said spacebetween said temporary lining means and the other ofsaid liners for substantially evenly distributing said insulation to allparts of said space.

6. In combination, apparatus for conducting thermal insulation into aportion of a cabinet of the type having inner and outer metallic linerswith thermal'insulation disposed therebetween, a dummy linerarranged tobe substituted for one of said liners while insulation is beingconducted to said cabinet, said dummy liner being provided with an inletopening and also an outlet opening located substantially centrally ofsaid dummy liner, means providing a passage between said inlet opening:and'said portion to .be filled, conduits communicating with said inletand outlet openings, respectively, eans for conducting insulation tosaid inlet conduit and to said dummy liner, and insulation distributingmeans disposed s. iiisaid massage;said-adistributingzmeans;comprisstructed and arranged to be substitutedfor one I oi said linerswhile said insulation is being con-- ducted into said cabinet, the sidewalls of said dummy liner being provided with a peripherally extendingopening, said dummy liner being provided with a substantially verticalpassage therethrough, said passage being disposed inwardly from saidside walls, a pair of concentric conduits extending into said verticalpassage, the innermost of said concentric conduits extendin through saiddummy liner and serving as an inlet iorsaid material conducting fluidand said in-- sulating material, said dummy liner beingprovided with apassagecommunicating between said peripherally extending opening and theother of said concentric conduits, said'other conduit serving as anoutlet for the fluid, and means for preventing the passage of saidinsulating material through said peripherally extending opening.

4. In combination, apparatus for conducting insulation into a cabinet ofthe type having inner and outer metallic liners with thermal insulationdisposed therebetween, ,a dummy liner'arranged to be substituted for oneof said liners while said insulation is being conducted into said jcabinet. the walls of said dummy liner being provided with aperipherally extending opening,

screen means closing said opening in said side walls, said dummy lineralso being provided with a substantially vertical passage therethrough,,said passage being a spaced. inwardly from said side walls, a pair ofconcentric conduits extending into said vertical passage, the innermostof said concentric conduits extending through said dummy liner andserving as an inlet for said insulating material and material conductingfluid, said dummy liner being provided with a{ passage .c0rn-'.municating'between said opening and thesec- 'ond concentric conduit,said second concentric conduit serving as an outlet ior the fluid andthe insulating, material so entrained, said screen means causing' saidinsulating material to b retained in saidspace.

5. In combination, apparatus for conducting thermal insulation into acabinet of the type having inner and outermetallic liners with thermalinsulation disposed in the space therebetween,

temporary liningmeans' arranged to be substituted for one of said.liners 1 during theoperation iii'g a'rplurality of spaced-apart membersdividing said passageinto sub-passages extending radially from saidoutlet conduit.

7. In combination, apparatus for conducting thermal insulation into acabinet of the type having inner and outer metallic liners with thermalinsulation disposed therebetween, a dummy liner constructed and arrangedto be substituted for ing means, said means having a supply .conduit forconducting afluid and entrained heat-insulating material to said means,a plurality of exhaust conduits 'for conducting saidfluid away from saidmeans,'and meansdependent upon the conduction of the predeterminedamount of insulating material to said lining means for selectivelycontrolling the flow of" said fluid through one or more of saidexhaust-conduits.

9. In combina'tiomapparatus for conducting thermal insulation into'acabinet of the type having permanent inner and outer metallic lin- 'erswith thermal insulation disposed therebetween, a dummy liner adapted tobe placed in said cabinet in theposition to be occupied by saidpermanent inner li'nerinthe-final assembly of said cabinet, the walls ofsaid dummy liner presented to the inner surface of said outer linerhaving the same contour as said permanent inner liner, the side walls ofsaiddummy liner being provided with a peripherally extending opening,

a screen closing said opening and being disposed "in the plane of saidside walls, said dummy liner being provided with a substantiallyvertical passage therethrough, said passage being spaced inwardly fromsaid side walls, a pair of concentric conduits extending into saidverticalpassage,

"the innermost of said concentric conduits extendl ing through saiddummy liner and serving as an inlet for said insulating material andmaterial conducting fluid; said dummy liner being provided with apassage communicating between said opening and the second concentricconduit, radially disposed members in said passage for distributing theflow of fluid and entrained insulating material to all portions of thespace between said dummy liner and said outer liner in order to preventformation of holes in said insulation, said second concentric conduitserving as an outlet for the fluid in which said insulating matetial wasentrained, said screen causing said insulating material to be retainedin said space.

10. In combination, apparatus for projecting thermal insulation into acabinet of the type having permanent inner and outer metallic linerswith thermal insulation disposed therebetween, a dummy liner adapted tobe placed in said cabinet in the position to be occupied by saidpermanent inner liner in the final assembly of. said cabinet, the wallsof said dummy liner presented to the inner surface of said outer linerhaving the same contour as said permanent inner liner, the side walls ofsaid dummy liner being provided with a plurality of openings extendingaround the periphery of said dummy liner, screens closing said openingsand being disposedin the plane of said side walls, said dummy linerbeing provided with a substantially vertical passage therethrough, saidpassage being spaced inwardlyirom said side walls, a plurality ofconcentric conduits extending into' said vertical passage, the innermostof said conduits extending through said dummy liner and serving asan-inlet for said insulating material and material conducting fluid,said dummy liner being provided with a pluraleach of said remainingconduits for controllingthe flow of fluid and insulating materialthrough said dummy liner.

11. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of thetype havinginner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, saidapparatus having an inlet opening and an outlet openingassociated withthe space between said walls and having a feed conduit for conveyinginsulating material to said inlet opening, means associated withone ofsaid openingsfor establishing aflow of fluid to said space through 'saidconduit, flow: controlling means associated with said r inlet opening,and control means responsive to the velocityv of fiow 16 duit, andcontrol means responsive to the velocity of flow of fluid in said inletconduit for operating said flow controlling means to permit saidinsulating material to be conducted to said space only when the velocityof the flow of fluid established by said flow establishing means hasattained a predetermined value.

13. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet 01' the type having inner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, an inletconduit and an outlet conduit associated with the space between saidwalls, means associated with said outlet conduit for establishing a flowof fluid to said space, a first flow controlling means associated withsaid inlet conduit, a second flow controlling means associated with saidoutlet conduit, said control means being responsive to the velocity ofthe fluid flowing in said inlet conduit for operating said flowcontrolling means such being responsive to the velocity of fluid flow insaid inlet conduit for operating said first flow controlling means insuch a way that said first means is moved to a position for permittingsaid insulating material to be conducted to said space only when saidfiow establishing means has established a predetermined velocity offluid flow in sa d inlet conduit and said outlet conduit issubstantially unobstructed. v

14. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner and outer.me-

, ity of passages, each of which communicates betallic walls withthermal insulation disposed therebetween, an inlet conduit associatedwith the space between said walls, a. first outlet con-' duit associatedwith one portion of said space, a second outlet conduit associated withanother portion of said space, means for establishing a flow ofinsulation conducting fluid to said space, a first flow controllingmeans associated with said first outlet conduit, a second flowcontrolling means associated with said second outlet conduit and a thirdflow controlling means associated with said inlet conduit, meansdependent upon the establishment of a predetermined velocity of fluid topermit said insulating material to be conducted to said space only whensaid flow establishing means is in operation.

12. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulationdisposed therebetween, an inletconduit and an outlet conduit associated with the space between saidwalls,

means associated with one or said conduitsror establishing a flow offluid to said space, flow controlling means associated with said inletconof fluid in said inlet conduit for moving said first and said thirdflow controlling means into positions for permitting the conduction ofinsulating material to said space only when said flow establishing meanshas created said predetermined velocity of fluid flow, and meansdependent upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of insulatingmaterial in said space for opening said second flow controlling means inorder to permit theconduction of insulating material to said anotherportion of said space.

15. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, an inletconduit associated with the space between said walls, a. first outletconduit associated with one portion of said space, a second outletconduit associated with another portion of said space, means forestablishing a flow of insulation conducting fluid to. said space, a,first flow controlling means associated with said first outlet conduit,a second flow controlling means associated with said second outletconduit and a third fiow' controlling means associated with said inletconduit, said flow controlling means being so arranged and constructedthat said third flow controlling means does permit the conduction ofinsulating material to said space only when said first flow' controllingmeans is in a position to permit fluid flow through said first outletconduit, saidmeans including a pressure responsive element responsivetothe pressure in said inlet conduit, and pressure responsive meansresponsive to the diflerential pressure between said inlet conduit andsaid first outletconduit for opening said second fiow' controlling meansupon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of insulating materialin said space in order to per- .mit the conduction of insulatingmaterialto said another portionofsaid space.

16. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, an inletconduit associated, with the space between said walls, a first, outletcon- 18 apart walls with thermal insulation therebetween,

, comprising the steps of arranging wall members in spaced-apartrelationship, conducting a fluid and entrained relatively loose fibrousthermal insulating material into different portions of the space betweensaidmembers in successive stages at predetermined relatively highinitial velocities, the change from one stage to the next being madewhen the velocity in the one stage falls to a predetermined minimumvalue, said minimum velocity in each stage'being suificiently high tofelt the'fibers to a predetermined density, said initial and minimumvelocities for each space duit associated with one portion of saidspace, a I

second outlet conduit associated with another portion of said space,means for establishing a flowof insulation-conducting fluid to saidspace,

a first fiow controlling means associated with said first outletconduit, a second flow controlling means associated with said secondoutlet conduit and a third flow controlling means associated with saidinlet conduit, said. flow controlling means being so arranged andconstructed that said first and said third flow controlling meanspermits the conduction of insulating material to said space only when 'apredetermined velocity ofsaid fluid has been attained, means for openingsaid second fiow controlling means upon the accumulation of apredetermined amount of insulating material in said space in order topermit the conduction of insulating material to said another portion ofsaid space, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease of pressurein said inlet conduit for stopping the supply of insulating material tosaid space when said space is filled. v

17. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, an inletconduit associated with the space between said walls, a first outletconduit associated with one portion of said space, a secportiondecreases to a predetermined value, conand outlet conduit associatedwith another portion of said space, means for establishing a flow ofinsulation conducting fluid to said space, a first flow controllingmeans associated with said first outlet conduit, a second flowcontrolling means associated with said second outlet conduit and a thirdflow controlling means associated with said inlet conduit, said. flowcontrolling means being so arranged and constructed that said third flowcontrolling means permits the conduction of insulating material to saidspace only when a predetermined velocity of fluid flow has beenestablished, said means including a pressure responsive elementresponsive to the pressure in said inlet conduit, and pressureresponsive means responsive to the differential pressure between saidinlet conduit and said first outlet conduit for opening said second flowcontrolling means upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount ofinsulating material in said space in order to permit the conduction ofinsulating material to said another portion of said space, saiddifferential pressure responsive means also being operative to cut offthe flow of fiuid to said space when said space is filled with saidinsulating material.

18. The method of constructing a thermally insulated cabinet of the typehaving spaced-- ducting said material into another portion of saidspace, the initial velocity of the flow to said other portion beingapproximately the same as the aforesaid initial velocity, and continuingthe flow of material to said other portion until the filling of saidother portion causes a decrease of the velocity to a predeterminedvalue.

20. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose, fibrousthermal insulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner andouter walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, temporarylining means arranged to be substituted for one of said walls whilefilling said cabinet with insulation, means for conducting saidinsulation material to said firstmentioned means, and means associatedwith said I temporary lining means for maintaining the insulatingmaterial in place during the separation between said temporary .means'and the other of said walls after the filling operation, said meansbeing constructed and arranged to be maintained in engagement with saidinsulating material during said withdrawal.

21. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose, fibrousthermal insulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner andouter walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, temporarylining means arranged T to be substituted for one of said walls'whilefill- 1 ing said cabinet with insulation, means for conducting saidinsulation material to aid first-mentioned means, and means carried byand movable with respect to said temporary lining means for maintainingthe thermal insulation in place when said temporary means is withdrawnafter the filling operation.

22. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose, fibrousthermal insulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner andouter walls with thermal insulation disposed therebetween, temporarylining means arranged to be substituted throne of said walls whilefillingsaid cabinet with insulation, means for conducting saidinsulation material to said firstmentioned means, means comprising aframe carried by and movable with respect to said temporary means, andinsulation engaging means extending from said frame for maintaining theinsulating material in place as the temporary means is withdrawn oncompletion of the filling metallic walls with thermal insulationdisposed therebetween, said apparatus having an inlet opening and anoutlet opening associated with the space between said walls and having afeed conduit communicating with said inlet opening for conveyinginsulating material to said space, means associated with one of saidopenings for establishing a flow of fluid through said conduit to saidspace, flow controlling means associated with said inlet opening, andcontrol means responsive to the pressure at said outlet opening topermit said insulating material to be conducted to said space only whensaid flow establishing means is in operation.

v 24. In combination, apparatus for conducting relatively loose fibrousinsulating material into a cabinet of the type having inner and outermetallic walls with thermal insulation disposed th r w n, an inletconduit and an outlet conduit associated with the space between saidwalls, means associated with one of said conduits for establishing aflow of, fluid to said space, flow controlling means associated withsaid inlet conduit, and control means responsive to the pressure in saidinlet conduit for operating said flow control means to permit saidinsulating ma terial to be conducted to said space only when thevelocity of the flow of fluid established by said flow establishingmeans has attained a predetermined value.

25. In combination, apparatus for conducting.

20 therebetween, an inlet conduit associated wltl; the space betweensaid walls, a first outlet conduit associated with one portion of saidspace, a second outlet conduit associated with another portion of saidspace, means for establishing a flow of insulation conducting fluid tosaid space, a first flow controlling means associated with said firstoutlet conduit, a second flow controlling means associated with saidsecond outlet conduit, and a third flow controlling means associatedwith said inlet conduit, and control means responsive to a predetermineddifference in pressure existing between said inlet and said first outletconduits for operating said second flow controlling means to permit theconduction of insulating material to another portion of said space.

EDWARD H. HORSTKO'I'I'E.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 735,217 Delong Aug. 4, 19031,029,364 Hartwig June 11; 1912 1,548,441 Branovich .Aug. 4, 19251,827,858 Tannery Oct. 20, 1931 1,898,759 Burt, Jr. Feb. 21, 19331,940,277 Stresau Dec. 19, 1933 2,040,094- McJoynt May 12, 19362,054,323 Holbrook Sept. 15, 1936 2,170,469 Carter Aug. 22, 1939.2,200,713 Ericson et al May 14, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date155,518 Germany Oct. 11, 1904

